Basil– a spicy herb beloved by many, adding a piquant taste and aroma to various dishes, as well as healthy.
High concentration essential oils allows you to use basil for cosmetic purposes and in folk medicine.
IN summer time it grows in gardens, personal plots, and to serve fresh herbs to the table all year round, you can grow basil in a pot inside the walls of your home, it's quite simple.
Basil varieties for growing at home
Small-leaved basil grows best at home, preferably plants that reach V height no more than half a meter.
Here are some of them:
- Marquis – mid-early variety, a low-growing plant up to 25 cm, spherical or pyramidal in shape, green leaves, have a pronounced clove-pepper aroma;
- Dwarf– compact bushes 10-18 cm in height, grown as an aromatic herb and as ornamental plant, comes in green and purple;
- Basilisk– compact bushes 20-25 cm high, leaves with a peppery-clove spicy taste and smell, early ripening;
- Troll– reaches 35-40 cm in height, leaves are green-violet, small;
- Clove– medium-sized basil 35-45 cm high with a pungent clove-anise smell;
- Philosopher– low-growing bushes (25-30 cm) with leaves purple, clove aroma;
- Spicy Globe– bushy basil with small sheets, forms spreading but compact bushes, has a lively spicy aroma;
- Bush Minette– miniature bushes, ideal for growing in containers, tiny leaves;
- Cinnamon– small bushes, leaves with a cinnamon aroma; Small-leaved basil (piccolo) – leaves are small and narrow, the taste is sweet, almost without astringency, the smell is reminiscent of allspice.
What conditions are required to grow basil?
Basil has a developed root system, so to grow it you need fairly deep and voluminous boxes, containers or flowerpots. Basilica needs regular watering, good soil permeability is important, so you need to use light structural soil.
The soil must contain peat, humus or compost; clay will promote optimal water circulation, and to prevent it from stagnating, needed drainage layer, for which you can use fine gravel or expanded clay.
Basil is a heat-loving and light-loving crop.
The best place for growing it is a windowsill; in winter, the necessary heat will be provided by a heating radiator, and if there is not enough sunlight, it is necessary to organize lighting. Important provide protection seedlings from drafts.
The best temperature for basil growth is 25⁰
. You can keep boxes of basil on a glazed and insulated balcony or loggia, especially if their heating and lighting are organized.
If unheated balcony, and it gets cold outside, you need to cover the basil with film, protecting it from wind and hypothermia.
Optimal time for sowing or planting cuttings Basil is considered spring, March-April, then during the period of active growth the plants will receive enough heat and light.
If the owners have sufficient experience, containers with basil are kept in a warm place, for example, on a kitchen windowsill, the heating radiator is running and artificial lighting is provided, the planting season is not of fundamental importance.
Basil cuttings
You can grow basil at home two ways:
- from seeds;
- from cuttings.
If you already have basil growing in your house or friends, you can take cuttings from it, using the upper and middle part of the stem. You can also purchase a small container of growing basil at the store; if it is fresh, it can serve just fine. source of cuttings.
The cuttings are placed in water, roots usually appear within a week, after two weeks they can be planted in the ground. It's also possible rooting cuttings immediately in the ground, they need to be covered on top with cans or cut-off PET bottles; to increase the likelihood of successful rooting, add a root formation stimulator when watering.
Basil takes root quite well when vegetative propagation, and when cuttings or seedlings are planted, they will quickly reach sizes that allow harvest.
But barely rooted cuttings are quite fragile, but sprouts grown from seeds are not so delicate, so sowing basil is considered more practical option, although it requires more time to wait for the harvest.
Sowing and preparation for it
Both the soil and the seeds need to be prepared. Self-harvested soil must be disinfected Preheat in the oven for up to an hour, soil purchased in specialized stores is processed.
Directly soil before sowing heated to room temperature and enriches himself mineral fertilizers or humic concentrate.
Deep grooves are made in the prepared soil 0.5-1 cm with row spacing of 10 cm, prepared seeds are sown in them, the distance between the seeds should also be not less than 7 cm.
The grooves are sprinkled with earth, the soil is moistened and covered with a transparent film or glass to preserve moisture. The boxes need to be kept in a warm place, for seeds to germinate usually need 5-7 days.
The emerging shoots need good lighting, they should be illuminated at least 16 hours a day.
When seedlings will reach 5 cm in height, they can be transplanted into another box, more spacious and deep, or into pots, bush from bush at a distance 15 cm and more.
Caring for Rooted Basil
Bye sprouts less than 5 cm, enough watering without loosening. After rooting of the strengthened seedlings once every 2-3 days the soil must be loosened and watered if the soil dries out. Watering should not be excessive, otherwise the aboveground part of the plants may be affected by mold and fungus.
Water the basil in the morning with water at room temperature. If it's worth hot dry weather, watering is possible twice a day, in the morning and at lunch. Fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out from the moment one or two leaves appear on the seedlings and then at intervals about a month.
For feeding the following composition is used: per liter of water take 10 g of a mixture of fertilizers: nitrogen (2 g), potassium (3 g) and phosphorus (5 g). It is not necessary to thin out the planting if sufficient distance is maintained between plants when transplanting young seedlings.
In order for the leaves to grow more actively, the plant to grow in breadth, you need to pinch off the top shoots, pinching the tops begins after 4-6 leaves appear.
During the flowering period The flower ovary is left only if the basil is grown for seeds; in plants grown for leaves, the buds are broken off; there is no need to allow flowering. Then the leaves will be more fragrant, and the plant will not wither longer.
More detailed instructions How to grow basil at home you will find in the video:
Basil harvest
Basil grows rather slowly indoors, and the leaves should not be cut until the bushes reach at least 10 cm in height. To replenish the supply of fresh herbs for the table, it is enough to periodically break off or cut off the tops of shoots from different bushes, a few leaves at a time.
As a result, basil it will be better to bush, provide lush greenery that can be used as needed without tearing down the main plant. If you need to store a lot of greens for future use, the stem is cut closer to the base, so that only 4 lower leaves . New leaves will grow from their axils.
So this is annual plant will produce a harvest greens for a long time.
Possible problems when growing basil
Basil is a plant that is resistant to diseases and pests, but it also there are weak points. Pests such as slugs and snails, as a rule, do not threaten basil growing at home on a windowsill. Weeds also rarely appear in the treated soil.
And here gray mold And fusarium Plants grown at home can also be affected, usually due to overwatering of the soil. In this case, the affected leaves are torn off; if the disease has affected the stem, the plant must be uprooted, so that neighbors don't get infected. The soil is sprinkled with ash and loosened so that the ash penetrates deeper.
A bunch of herbs, including basil, thrive outdoors and we enjoy growing them in our garden. But it’s still warm outside and the weather is conducive to this, because with the onset of cold weather this opportunity will disappear. What if you move the herbs indoors and plant them in a container on the windowsill for further growth? I think it's a great idea! How to grow basil on a windowsill, you ask? Very simple. These can be either seeds or a plant already grown in the garden.
To do this, it is enough to know the basic secrets of growing this annual and create it the necessary conditions at home:
⦁ a spacious window sill, preferably on the sunny side; windows facing south or southwest are ideal for this. If the windows face the other side of the world, or are not on the sunny side, take care of additional lighting for the plant. Place the lamps at a distance of 40 - 45 cm, illuminate for at least 10 hours a day to make up for the lack of sunlight;
⦁ basil is thermophilic. Protect the plant from drafts.
⦁ watering abundantly, but the plant does not tolerate waterlogging, therefore, the more drainage holes there are in the container, the better. Make it a rule to water the plant every other day, checking the soil first. It's completely unscientific, but it works. Place your finger on the soil and if it is wet, refrain from watering. Dry? Water a little;
⦁fertilizer is an important part of care; with it, the plant will delight you with its intensive growth. Once a month will be enough;
⦁ before you start pruning, allow the plant to acclimatize and at first use only grown leaves for food. As soon as the plant gets stronger, you can pinch out young shoots by 5–7 cm. This will stimulate the growth of the plant and give it a branched shape.
Important! If you are transplanting ready plant from the garden, then do this before it blooms. After all, if the plant goes into flower, it will stop producing new tasty leaves. Therefore, keep an eye on the flowers and if they appear, just pinch them.
Basil growing from seeds
Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow at home, even without the slightest skill to do so. Since basil is an annual plant, it grows quite quickly, and if you adhere to the basic growing conditions, you can enjoy fresh leaves within a few weeks after sowing.
Video - Growing basil from seeds
Important! The optimal time for sowing seeds is early March.
Prices for basil seeds
basil seeds
Step-by-step instructions for growing basil from seeds
Step 1: Prepare the soil. Fill the container with soil (2:1 mixture of peat and humus), add water. Mix well. The soil should quickly absorb moisture, be fertile and light.
Step 2. Fill the seedling trays 3-5 cm below the top with moistened soil.
Step 3. Plant several seeds in each cell at once, in case some of them do not germinate.
Before sowing, it is better to disinfect the seeds by placing them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for a couple of hours.
Step 4. Sprinkle the seeds with dry soil. The planting depth is no more than 1 cm, since the seeds are very small.
Step 5: Moisturize upper layer from a hand-held flower sprayer. If suddenly any of the seeds appears on the surface, carefully push it back into the soil.
Step 6: Close the container plastic cover, or cling film. Place in a warm place, check the soil moisture and the appearance of the first shoots every day.
Important! Basil germinates very quickly and the first shoots can hatch within 7–10 days.
Step 7. As soon as the first sprouts appear, remove the lid or film. Add additional lighting to encourage growth and prevent seedlings from being stretched out.
Prices for seedling boxes
seedling boxes
Further care at home
Once the seeds have hatched, it is very important to take proper care of them. Use the following general recommendations for this:
Watering seedlings
The frequency of watering depends on the humidity of the room. If the room is dry and warm, increase watering. Try to irrigate the soil at least once a day, in the morning. Monitor the general condition of the soil; if the top part of the soil remains constantly wet without drying out, this can lead to mold and rotting of the sprouts.
Lighting
Basil is sun-loving and loves well-lit places; at least sunbathing should be at least 6 hours a day. During the active growth stage, seedlings need an additional light source. On average, they should receive 12-16 hours of daylight, to do this, place the seedlings 10 cm below the light source. As she grows, increase the distance.
Air circulation
For a plant to grow and develop healthy, it needs good air circulation. This way, the soil will be ventilated and dry, thereby avoiding the appearance of mold. Watch the planting density. If there is a strong density, it is better to remove several plants, thinning them out. Loosen the soil every three days, giving more oxygen to the roots.
Important! Do not forget to turn the container towards the sun, thereby allowing the plants to grow and develop evenly.
Trimming
The basil that we see on the pages of magazines and websites is bushy and beautiful. But it won't grow that way on its own. If the basil is not trimmed on time, it will stretch upward and will not give the desired result. The key to getting a nicely branched bushy plant, with a lot of leaves to collect, is to prune it correctly early on and pinch it back later. It is better to do this when the plant grows to 15 cm, and it has four or five true, rather than cotyledon, leaves. After the new shoots grow 10 cm, the procedure can be repeated.
Transplanting young basil
If your plant has outgrown its pot, you can transplant it into a larger one. Lack of nutrients, soil and water will negatively affect the growth of basil and its appearance. In addition, such a plant is more susceptible to infections and pests.
During the main growth phase, basil is replanted twice. For the first time, after the plant has several true leaves, it can be transplanted into a pot with a diameter of 10–12 cm.
As the basil grows, it will need to be replanted one more time in order for it to reach its full potential and produce strong growth.
The main signal for replanting basil will be the roots growing through the drainage holes.
Video - Timely picking of basil
Basil varieties
There are many varieties of basil, each with its own flavor, each with its own uses for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Basil is a member of the mint family and is very similar in appearance. The most popular type of basil used in cooking is sweet basil, but some people like to cook with lemon basil, clove basil, or cinnamon vanilla flavored basil. Currently there are about 150 varieties of basil. But we will look at the most common varieties found in our mini-gardens.
Important! For pot growing, select low-growing branchy or salad varieties.
The most common variety, with medium-sized, round leaves of a soft green color and a sweetish taste. Most often found on supermarket shelves and used to make Pesto sauce, tomato sauces and marinades.
Genoese basil
Classic Italian basil with very large dark green leaves. It is somewhat similar to sweet basil, but has a stronger and more pronounced taste and the leaves are flat and pointed in shape. Widely used in Italian cuisine and for making Pesto sauce. Feels great in indoor pots.
Often found in Asian cuisine, for making sesame noodles and Thai chicken. It has medium-sized, dark, spiky leaves and a spicy licorice aroma. It is worth noting the fact that this variety of basil retains its taste with more high temperatures preparation, compared to other varieties.
Purple basil
Has a bright, dark burgundy color large leaves and has a pepper-clove aroma, which perfectly saturates vinegar or oil, and also gives beautiful colour dishes. Grows well in pots.
It has a more delicate leaf color than the predecessors listed above, but has a truly unique lemon aroma. An excellent addition to fish or poultry dishes, grilled vegetables, as well as desserts and teas.
It has a mild peppery aroma, with a tart, slightly salty taste. An excellent addition to spicy meat and poultry dishes, pasta and cheeses.
Caramel basil
It has a rare fruity-caramel aroma and for this reason is an excellent flavoring agent for drinks, vinegars, marinades and is used as a culinary additive for desserts.
Basil uses
This is only at first glance; basil is a common and fast-growing herb that serves only as a seasoning. In fact, the variety of tastes and aromas has a much wider range of applications.
Cooking
Culinary use is one of the most popular uses for basil, as it is refreshing and versatile. It can “revive” pasta sauce or salad, or add piquancy to a cocktail or dessert.
Important! To get the strongest basil flavor, add fresh leaves towards the end of cooking (though this may vary depending on the recipe).
⦁ Basil is combined with olive oil, garlic, lemon, rosemary and thyme - and, of course, tomatoes. Basil and tomatoes seem to have been made for each other, they complement each other so harmoniously;
⦁ Dried basil can easily be added to almost any dish, it is used in many cuisines around the world, adding depth and flavor to dishes. It does not compete with other herbs, but adds its own piquancy. In addition, when dried, all useful material plants;
Important! The shelf life of dried basil is no more than two years, in a fabric bag, without access sun rays and humidity.
⦁ Italian Cuisine She simply worships this plant, and her menu is full of recipes and ideas for using it in food, for example, in tomato sauce, or vinegars. But The best way using it is definitely Pesto. A mixture of basil, garlic, nuts, cheese and olive oil is one of the most versatile seasonings;
⦁ You can make oil for salads, for this you need to chop fresh leaves and mix with good olive or vegetable oil;
⦁ When freezing leaves, first dip them in olive oil or vegetable oil;
⦁ good in combination with oregano and rosemary.
And while many tend to associate basil with Italy and other Mediterranean countries, it actually originated in India, and was brought to Europe via spice routes in ancient times. In Hindi, this herb is known as Tulsi, which means "Holy Basil". It still occupies a special and important place in Ayurveda; it is not for nothing that it is also called the “elixir of life.”
ethnoscience
Basil leaves have antibacterial, antiviral and immunodeficiency properties that improve general state and body health.
⦁ basil is rich in antioxidants, has anti-cancer and antiviral properties;
⦁ it is believed to have a calming effect on the stomach;
⦁ soothing tea made from dried basil leaves, helps with coughs and colds;
⦁ steam inhalations with dried basil leaves relieve headaches; to do this, add a tablespoon of dried basil leaves to two cups of boiling water in a container (saucepan, deep plate), cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes;
⦁ basil essential oil is antibacterial, and drops of basil oil often help with ear infections;
⦁ regular consumption of juice, as well as tea, normalizes blood sugar levels;
⦁ reduces stress and irritability.
Cosmetology
Basil leaves and essential oils have been used for cosmetic purposes since time immemorial. This natural remedy, enriched with antioxidants and nutrients, is very effective and time-tested.
⦁ soothes skin redness, acts against acne and pimples;
⦁ natural cure for skin infections;
⦁ home remedy from insect bites;
⦁ has an anti-aging effect;
⦁ natural treatment for dandruff and dry skin;
⦁ anti-hair loss product.
Important! Drinking plant juice, as well as adding it to face masks homemade, will have a beneficial effect on the health of your skin and hair.
Useful properties of basil and contraindications
From basil we usually use the leaves, which are especially rich in tannins and essential oil. Plus, it is an excellent source of iron, calcium, potassium and vitamin C, which are extremely beneficial for health. Basil also contains small amounts of magnesium and manganese.
Table. Nutritional value of basil per 5 g of greens
*Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
It is gaining widespread popularity, and basil is no exception. But in order for the final result to meet your expectations, you need to know in advance the rules for growing basil at home, carefully study the needs of the plant, the rules for sowing or rooting cuttings, and also familiarize yourself with further conditions maintenance and care of spicy green plant in the apartment.
Basil is an indispensable component for people who care about their health and watch their figure. At the same time, it is enough to eat only a few sprigs of greens a day to provide the body with useful vitamins and microelements.
To grow basil on a windowsill, you need to carefully prepare, since this will require:
- decide on the variety and purchase seeds or cut fresh cuttings from an adult plant;
- choose a suitable place (window sill) in the apartment;
- prepare planting containers and nutrient substrate;
- carry out pre-sowing preparation and seed treatment;
- study the features of watering and fertilizing;
- become familiar with possible diseases and measures to combat them.
Important! Basil on the windowsill is very responsive to care and therefore requires increased attention, since it cannot tolerate ignoring the rules for its maintenance.
Without a doubt, basil can be successfully grown on a windowsill and you can enjoy its taste for a long time only if it is planted and further care are made according to the rules.
Video: how to grow basil at home
Choosing the right basil variety to grow at home
To successfully grow basil in an apartment, you need to choose the right plant variety, since not all varieties can adapt and grow on a windowsill. It is optimal to select small-leaved and compact species.
In addition to its excellent taste and aromatic qualities, basil attracts home gardeners with its decorative properties, therefore, by planting greens with different shades of foliage, you can create a special coziness in the house.
Thus, varieties such as Basilisk, Delight, Gvozdichny, Marquis, Dwarf, Yerevan, Orion, Lemon, Purple Shine, Thai Queen, Philosopher, Green Aroma, Tabletop, Red Ruby and others are suitable for growing basil on a windowsill.
The variety of plant varieties allows you to choose a variety based on your individual preferences, and the best option It may be possible to grow several varieties of basil on the windowsill at the same time.
Growing basil from seeds on a windowsill: step-by-step instructions
Before sowing the seeds, you should select a suitable container, soil, and only if you wish, you can prepare it - soak and germinate the planting material itself.
In what container to grow
For the initial sowing of basil seeds for seedlings, it is recommended to use any flat containers or bowls.
It is very convenient to grow basil seedlings in individual cassettes.
In the future, for planting seedlings, it is necessary to find larger pots with a depth of at least 15 cm.
Don’t forget about drainage: there should be at least holes at the bottom of the planting containers so that excess water drains into the pan, and in permanent pots a 3-centimeter layer of expanded clay is poured.
Required soil mixture
The most common substrate for sowing basil seeds or rooting cuttings at home is suitable - a universal one for growing seedlings, which you can purchase at any gardening store. The main thing is that it must meet the basic requirement - to be light and loose, which means it allows air to pass through to the root system and not retain moisture.
You can prepare the soil for growing basil using the following methods:
- humus, garden soil and peat (1:1:1);
- humus and coconut fibers (2:1).
Important! Before sowing seeds or rooting cuttings, the soil should be disinfected, any soil, even purchased soil. This can be done by steaming it in a steamer or roasting it in the oven. In addition, it is additionally recommended to shed the soil with a pink solution of potassium permanganate or.
Seed preparation
Preparation is required before sowing planting material, which will improve germination and promote uniform seed germination.
However! It is believed that basil sprouts well on moist soil even without any pre-sowing preparation (soaking).
For example, you can first soak basil seeds in hot water(about 70 degrees) for 15 minutes, and then place them on a damp cloth (or cotton pads). As a rule, the seeds hatch within 1-2 days.
After this, you can further treat (disinfect) the seeds in a pink solution of potassium permanganate for 10-20 minutes.
Advice! Hatched seeds can be planted at some distance from each other, so as not to be picked or thinned later.
Direct sowing of seeds
Successful cultivation Basil at home largely depends on the correct sowing.
Step-by-step instruction sowing basil seeds for further cultivation on the windowsill:
- Pour the substrate into the prepared pots (do not fill it completely, about 2/3 will be enough).
- Level the soil surface and compact it.
- Moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
- Spread the prepared seeds evenly, lightly pressing them into the soil (no more than 0.5-1 cm).
Dry seeds are sown superficially, and already sprouted seeds can be lightly sprinkled with earth (1-1.5 cm).
- Moisten the crops by spraying with a spray bottle.
- Cover the container with a transparent lid or film to create a greenhouse effect.
- Place the container in a dark and warm place ( optimal temperature+25 degrees) before emergence.
Transplanting basil from open ground into a pot
Advice! It is optimal to replant at the end of the summer season (in September), so to speak, taking the plant home for the winter.
In general, the easiest way is to dig up and replant a young basil bush from open ground in a pot. This is more than easy to do: you dug up a lump of earth, put the plant in a pot, the bottom of which already has drainage (holes and a layer of expanded clay), sprinkled soil on the sides, watered it and placed it on a bright windowsill.
By the way! In order for the bush to renew itself, after replanting you should trim its top, which you can use as a cutting.
Interesting! The author of the next video suggests growing basil on a windowsill (or any other greenery) by purchasing greens in a pot in the supermarket, and then planting its rhizomes in the ground, first treating (sprinkling) them with one of the root stimulants (zircon or root).
Video: growing herbs at home on the windowsill - parsley and basil
Growing basil from cuttings on a windowsill
Cuttings are perhaps the most quick way get basil greens in just a few weeks.
Where can I get cuttings? They can be cut directly from a basil bush, if you have one on your property. Or just buy a package at the supermarket. The main thing is that the greens are not limp.
The stalk should be 5 centimeters long. All excess lower leaves should be cut off, and the upper leaves can also be cut in half.
The rooting of basil cuttings itself is carried out in a standard way: Place the cuttings in water and the container itself in a bright place, for example, on the same windowsill.
Advice! The water in the container should be changed as often as possible, optimally every day.
After 7-10 days, you will already notice small roots on the cuttings, and as soon as they reach a length of 3-4 cm, the germinated basil cuttings can be transplanted into a pot of soil.
Further cultivation of basil is carried out in the same way as when planted with seeds.
Or you can do it differently: first, as usual, cut the cuttings and trim off excess leaves. Then immediately plant them in a container with soil (humus) and cover them with something on top, for example, a plastic bag or a plastic lid to create a greenhouse effect.
Video: how to grow basil at home by planting cuttings directly into the ground
Caring for basil on the windowsill
When friendly shoots appear (when growing from seeds) The container should be placed in a bright place (window) and the temperature should be reduced to +20 degrees, which will prevent the plants from stretching.
Also, if desired, you can begin to adapt the seedlings to environmental conditions. To do this, you need to start gradually removing the cover from the container (first for 30 minutes a day, then for an hour), which will allow the seedlings to gradually get used to the new conditions. After 7-10 days, the cover must be completely removed.
By the way! Many do not carry out any adaptation, and remove the shelter immediately after germination.
By the way! When the basil grows a little (up to 5-7 in height), add 2-3 cm of soil under the elongated sprouts.
Picking or thinning
As soon as the seedlings get stronger, significantly increase in growth, and have 1-2 true leaves, you can carry out picking plants in separate larger containers, if you initially planted them in a common and shallow one.
Video: sowing basil and picking seedlings
By the way! Otherwise, if you sowed directly into a permanent container optimal size, you can simply thin out the seedlings, leaving the strongest ones so that there is sufficient distance between them (5-10 cm).
Choosing a suitable location and conditions: lighting, temperature
Basil prefers to grow in nature on open areas and at elevated air temperatures, in other words, the place should be warm and sunny. Therefore, in order to grow basil at home, on a windowsill, it is necessary to take these preferences into account and choose a place that is as close as possible to the natural conditions for growing fragrant herbs.
The best way to grow basil at home is south window sill, but, in principle, you can place greenery on the east or west window. In a sense, this is even a more advantageous place, because... during periods of overly active sun in the spring and on hot summer days, if the plant is located on a south-facing window, it will be extremely necessary for you to shade the basil to avoid burns of the foliage.
Important! This tropical greenery does not tolerate drafts very well. Therefore, be sure to seal the cracks in the window frames for the winter.
Since the plant loves warmth, the air temperature should not fall below +18-20 degrees, otherwise it will slow down its growth and stop developing. It is optimal that the temperature is kept within + 22-25 degrees.
By the way! When it becomes warm enough outside, the pots of basil can be taken out to the balcony or loggia.
For full growth of basil at home on the windowsill daylight is required for at least 12 hours, and preferably 14-16 hours, therefore, during short days (especially in late autumn, winter and in early spring) it is recommended to provide the plant with additional lighting, illuminating it using special phytolamps or full-spectrum LED lamps.
Important! In winter in the morning and evening hours, and also, when it is cloudy, it is worth turning on the phytolamps so that there is at least 12 hours of daylight.
Watering
Watering is carried out as necessary, avoiding drying out and excessively moistening the earthen clod.
Watering itself should be carried out with settled water at room temperature.
The regularity of moistening the soil in the pot directly depends on temperature regime: the higher the temperature, the more often you water.
In winter, if you have a special cool place for greenery, watering should be significantly reduced.
Also, basil grown at home needs high humidity, so if the room is dry, the foliage of the plant must be additionally sprayed. This is especially true in the cold period of time, when the central heating radiators “fry”.
On particularly hot days, the pot of basil can be placed in a container filled with expanded clay filled with water. This will increase moisture evaporation and thereby increase air humidity.
By the way! If you notice that after watering due to excessively dry air a crust forms on the surface of the soil, then you should loosening.
Top dressing
After transplanting basil seedlings into a permanent pot, it is worth starting regular fertilizing, using any universal fertilizer. Suitable: “Bochka”, “Agricola”, “Energen”.
Pinching
In order for the plant to bush better when the basil is still small (1-1.5 months after sowing, when it has 4-6 true leaves), its top should be pinched so that the plant not only grows up, but also produces lateral shoots.
Important! When flower stalks appear on the plant, they must be quickly cut off with scissors, since after flowering the basil greens become tough and lose their aroma.
When to Harvest Homemade Basil
You can use basil leaves for food when the height of the plant reaches 15 cm. At this stage, as a rule, the formation of the main stem of the plant is completed, so the loss of leaves will not affect the development of basil.
Note! However, you should not break off the stems, otherwise the plant will dry out. You can only collect leaves (side leaves), and specifically the top ones. It is better to cut them with scissors rather than open them, because this can damage the stem.
Naturally, when growing basil from seeds, ripening and harvesting will occur noticeably later than when planting from cuttings:
- when grown from cuttings - 3-4 weeks after rooting;
- from seeds - after 3-4 months.
Video: growing herbs at home - parsley and basil on the windowsill
Having mastered the technique of growing basil on a windowsill, you can provide yourself and your family with fresh herbs all year round, including in winter. And then the prepared dishes will have a special taste and aroma, no matter what time of year it is outside.
Video: growing basil on a windowsill
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Hello. The age of greenery is short-lived, no matter how hard you try. To flavor a dish winter time and in early spring you have to use store-bought dried herbs. But green fragrant bushes can be grown on your windowsill. And so supply yourself with healthy spices all year round. Today you will learn how to grow basil at home. Unpretentious basil, with pleasant aroma first began to be cultivated in India and Iran. In ancient times, it was considered a medicinal plant due to its properties.
A little about varieties
Before you run to the store in search of seeds, decide on the desired variety of basil. Their number exceeds more than 150 varieties, and not all are suitable for growing at home. To grow basil on a windowsill, pay attention to the following varieties:
- Common basil is purple in color. The variety is characterized by a pleasant peppery-clove aroma and pronounced spicy taste. It is used fresh and dried in salads, preserves and marinades. Easy to care for.
- Purple Basil of Yerevan. Gives 2-3 harvests per season. It has a tart taste of tea and allspice. It will be an excellent addition to soups, salads, fish and meat dishes and sauces.
- Purple Basil Tulsi. Used in India for rituals and cooking spicy dishes.
- Vietnamese is ideal as an ingredient for salads and other dishes, thanks to its intense aroma and sweet taste.
- Italian (or Genoese) has a very strong anise aroma, making it a must-have addition to Italian pesto sauce. If you are a lover of Italian pasta and other dishes of this cuisine, feel free to grow it at home. It grows well in indoor pots.
Basil is also classified by its aroma. After all, the culinary use of the spice depends on the aroma. Thus, basil with the aroma of anise is suitable for vegetable and fish dishes, and spices with the aroma of lemon, pepper and cloves will “sound” perfectly in meat dishes.
For lovers of the aroma of cloves, varieties such as Smuglyanka, Clove Aroma, Spring Mood and Dark Night are suitable for growing. The following varieties have a clove-pepper aroma: Basilisk, Fantaser and Marquis. The following varieties have a peppery aroma: Compatto, Aramis, Rosie, Orion and Ruby. To grow basil with a lemon aroma at home, pay attention to the following varieties: Iskra, Lemon Basil and New. The menthol aroma is represented by the Velvet variety. To flavor sweets in the confectionery, they use the Vanilla Aroma variety.
How to grow basil
This spice can be grown at home in several ways: from young shoots or seeds. Both methods are good, but in order for basil to delight you all year round, it is better to grow the spice from seeds.
You can start growing basil at any time of the year. But the most optimal time for growing is spring. So, when the desired variety has been selected, the seeds have been purchased, and in the month of April, you can start sowing.
Basil bushes grow rather large and require a lot of space, so it is better to sow the seeds in long flower boxes so as not to torment yourself with transplants. The soil for sowing seeds can be taken from the garden or vegetable garden, fertilized with universal fertilizer for vegetables.
There is no need to sow the seeds too deeply, this prevents the rapid emergence of seedlings. Leave a 10 cm wide space between the seeds. When sprouts appear and reach a height of 5 cm, you need to loosen the soil every 3 days. Loosening is a prerequisite for spices grown indoors; it enriches the soil with oxygen.
Basil prefers moderately moist soil. Water it every morning, if the weather is hot and dry, watering can be done twice, adding watering at lunchtime.
Basil comes from the subtropics and reaches out to the sun, so place the box with the crops on a sunny windowsill. Keep the temperature to about +25 degrees. If you keep a box of basil on the balcony and are afraid that it is lacking warmth, wrap it in plastic wrap.
All plants are prone to diseases and pest attacks, basil is no exception. Greenhouse plantings of basil get sick less often than those planted in a vegetable garden or garden, but you need to know the enemy by sight. Basil has a tendency to contract gray mold and fusarium. To prevent these diseases, monitor the amount of watering; it is excessive watering that causes these diseases. If you see damaged stems, remove them to avoid infecting healthy bushes.
Basil is an indispensable spice in many dishes. It is also used for cosmetic purposes for rinsing hair and in bath infusions. If you decide to master growing herbs on a windowsill, you can safely start training with basil. It grows all year round and does not require special care.
Basil is grown from seeds, cuttings, or transplanted into young flowerpots for the winter, not yet flowering plants from the garden at the dacha.
Which basil is suitable for a window?
For growing on a windowsill, choose low-growing varieties, forming a bush: cinnamon basil (plant up to 50 cm in height with a bright cinnamon taste), small-leaved basil (has a sweet, delicate taste), aniseed basil, bush basil. Please pay Special attention for purple basil, or regan - it is very good for dishes Caucasian cuisine.
Photo gallery: types of basil for growing at home
Purple basil is suitable for lovers of Caucasian cuisine 
Cinnamon basil has a bright cinnamon aroma Cinnamon basil has a mild sweet aroma
Transplanting a plant from open ground
To transplant basil, choose young bushes that have not yet set buds.
Transplant process:
With this method of growing, the basil will soon flower, and you will have to use it as a cutting donor for new plants. To get as much “green” as possible and delay the moment of flowering, the bushes need to be pinched and watered well.
Basil should be grown in a sunny location.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings are the fastest and convenient way basil propagation. This process includes the following steps:
Basil produces roots in about a week and a halfThe soil for basil should be fertile but light. You can take soil from the garden and add humus or soil for indoor plants. Do not forget about drainage: excess water should not stagnate, otherwise the roots will begin to rot. Keep the flowerpot in a warm, bright place. The first greens can be cut after 3 weeks. When taken from cuttings, the basil bush will delight you for 3–4 months. Then you'll have to start over.
Growing aromatic greens from seeds
If you want the plant to last as long as possible, then choose this method. Seeds can be purchased at any garden store or order by mail. Before sowing, they should be prepared:
Seeds must be soaked before sowingTo avoid damaging the future bush with transplants, sow the seeds immediately into a permanent pot. The optimal volume is about a liter.
To prevent diseases, before planting, heat the soil in the oven for about an hour at a temperature of 110–120°C.
In addition, it is necessary to add to the soil complex fertilizer. Seed sowing process:
Weak basil sprouts must be removed, and excess ones must be transplanted into other containers.Some hobbyists, when planting and replanting basil, do not consider it necessary to do drainage, since there are holes in the flowerpot. This negligence can cost you the loss of your plants, because stagnation of water is the main cause of almost all fungal diseases.
Periodically loosen the soil, regularly water and spray the young bush with a spray bottle. In summer, this should be done every day so that the soil is moist, but not wet, and in winter, it is enough to water 2 times a week. Regardless of the time of year, the room temperature should be at least 20°C. Protect basil from drafts. As soon as the daylight hours begin to wane, you need to start lighting your bush - the basil should have a 12-hour daylight period.
In the autumn-winter season, basil needs lighting
Pinch the tops periodically to make the basil fluffier and produce new side branches. The first real pruning can be done in 1–1.5 months. When pruning, always leave the 4 lower leaves to prevent the plant from stretching upward. As soon as you notice the first buds, immediately cut them and the two leaves following them, otherwise the taste of the basil will begin to deteriorate.
Video: nuances of growing basil at home
Diseases and pests of basil
Basil is threatened fungal diseases: black leg and fusarium. Blackleg affects the plant when the soil is acidic or overwatered. IN root system no air enters, and it begins to rot, the stem becomes soft, turns yellow, and then turns black. If a disease is detected, immediately remove the affected sprout, and pour a strong dark crimson solution of potassium permanganate over the area where it was sitting. If the disease is nevertheless transmitted to other plants, you will have to use Fitosporin or Topaz.
Basil sprouts affected by black stem should be removed. The development of fusarium is promoted by increased air temperature and excessive humidity. The stems of the affected bushes gradually become thinner and turn brown, they become lethargic and die. At the initial stage of the disease, an infusion of onion peels will help (pour it with water in a ratio of 1:4 and leave for a day). Strain the infusion and spray it on the damaged plant.
Fusarium can kill basil 
Aphids suck juices from plants As soon as you notice this pest, you need to take immediate measures to combat it. Can be used natural remedies- decoctions:
Spray basil 2-3 times during the week. If necessary, repeat the course of treatment.
Basil is unpretentious and grows well at home. In addition, the cost of growing it is insignificant compared to the price in the supermarket. For seasoning, a couple of basil leaves are usually enough, and to prevent the rest from spoiling, it is recommended to dry them.
